Lawsuit claims Syska Hennessy broke labor laws by not providing rest breaks

to adhere to strict schedules that often prevented them from taking required breaks. The legal action accuses the company of not compensating employees for all hours worked, failing to provide proper overtime pay as per labor laws, and neglecting to offer additional pay when rest periods were missed. Tilley also contends that Syska Hennessy Group did not furnish accurate wage statements or adequately reimburse employees for work-related expenses.

Syska Hennessy Group, Inc. is a prominent engineering and consulting firm with widespread operations throughout California. The lawsuit asserts that the company’s staffing and scheduling policies caused employees to forego their rest breaks and handle job responsibilities off the clock. Tilley argues that workers were never fully relieved of duties during breaks, remaining on standby to address work-related matters and continue working on assignments.

Filed in September 2025 at the San Diego County Superior Court, the case remains ongoing, seeking class certification for non-exempt employees who worked at Syska Hennessy Group during the relevant period. The complaint cites violations of numerous sections of the California Labor Code and pursues compensation for withheld wages, statutory penalties, restitution, and legal fees.

The central legal question revolves around whether Syska Hennessy Group breached California’s wage and hour regulations. The court will scrutinize the company’s demands on employees, project schedules, and workforce policies to ascertain if employees were involuntarily prevented from taking necessary breaks, potentially constituting systematic violations of state labor laws.

This lawsuit underscores the importance of ensuring that all employees, irrespective of their field or job type, are entitled to uninterrupted rest periods and fair compensation in cases where breaks are impeded. According to California law, when an employee is denied mandated meal or rest breaks, the employer must provide one additional hour of pay at the regular rate for each missed break.

In summary, the lawsuit against Syska Hennessy Group emphasizes the broad applicability of California’s rest and meal break protections and reinforces the obligation of employers to uphold compliance across all departments and job roles. If individuals have concerns regarding California labor laws, pursuing a class action, or encountering wage and hour infractions, legal assistance is available through professional employment law attorneys at various office locations.